The U of Bamako

5/9/09
I finally made the decision to attend a 4 day training with USAID’s “Keneya Ciriwa” health management project. Having no idea what I was getting into, I went to meet people, pick the brain of former PCV genious Emily Janovich, and especially, to get a break from village life. Guys, it was amazing. Me and my fellow health volunteer Amanda got driven to the Univeristy of Bamako- a simple campus, but a college campus nonetheless- on what they call the “mountain of knowledge” overlooking the Niger River. I can’t tell you how excited I felt when I walked into a lecture hall with a PowerPoint and was handed a glossy pamphlet. Though the training was all in French, I felt really at home in the formal classroom setting. Amanda and I walked in and glanced at each other: “Ooooo! Acadamia! Remember this?”
We enjoyed the next four days in air conditioned hotel rooms with continental breakfasts of coffee and crossants. Real toilets. Real showers. Electricity. A swimming pool for gosh sakes. It was just the break I needed, and what was even better about it was it was for work so I didn’t have to feel guilty about taking a vacation. It made me miss home, and college. I wish I could go to class, see my old girlfriends. I know Karen’s coming soon, which makes me happy. But the whole up-state New York environment sounds so pleasing right now. How many months until Christmas?
As the training sessions progressed though, it was apparent. We’re still in Mali. Even though we’re working on computers and speaking in French, things are still done at the Malian pace. The projects goal is to visit ASACOs, or volunteer management bodies of community health centers, evaluate them, and help them improve their work in the community. Doing a simple questionnaire in our work groups was an all day project. Not one question could be answered without ample confusion, discussion, debate, sidetracking, backtracking, more confusion, and oh my gosh if there was a type-o, that threw us off for a good half an hour. I worry that if this is the rate all of Mali is working at, development is a long ways off. It’s funny, everything in Mali is either really over-thought, or really flying by the seat of your pants. Irene refuses to do any preparation for our radio show, which is extremely anxiety provoking for me, but just the way she likes it. People can change the date of their wedding in a half hour’s notice. But if there’s any sort of structure, you better get comfy. My water sanitation committee had a good two hour meeting after the project money came in. “Look at this bill. It is a $10 bill. We are giving it to this man to buy metal.” They would pass the bill from person to person until a dozen people could affirm, “Yes, it is indeed a $10 bill and I approve you giving it to this person.”
In any case, the training gave me some great ideas, and a chance to talk to a successful former PCV who is now working with USAID. I got great information to bring back to the village, and I also got to eat some ice cream, escape the hot season heat, and practice my French. And to think I almost passed this up.

6/2/09 Follow-up
Emily Janovich, the amazing young lady who ran these trainings, just left for the US last night after 4 years in Mali. She will start her masters in public policy at Harvard this August. Good luck Emily, and thanks for all you’ve done for Mali Health in Peace Corps and beyond! (Thanks for the hand-me-down clothes too!)